Old Town Americana Centennial Festival June 8th & 9th

ALBUQUERQUE, NM- Next up in Old Town's celebration of the New Mexico Centennial is a free public event on Friday, June 8th and Saturday, June 9th that celebrates all things "Americana."

The headliner for the event, the American blues-rock band, Indigenous, members of the Nakota Nation who grew up on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota, came to prominence in the late 1990s. The Native American band was originally comprised of two brothers, their sister and a cousin. Since those early days, the band has changed personnel and morphed into a nationally-known group with awards and records that appear on Billboard's Top 10. They will perform at the Gazebo on Saturday from 3 - 3:45 and 4:15 - 5 p.m.

The Americana Festival begins on Friday at 5 p.m. with performances at the Gazebo by the Squash Blossom Boys, followed by a 6 p.m. performance by BéBé La La featuring Alicia Ultan and Maryse Lapierre, and the Jaded Heart Duo. From 7 to 8 p.m. the band Breaking Blue closes the show with its special blues vibe.

Saturday's performances begin at 2 p.m. with a performance by Frank and James Chavez, followed by Indigenous. Kevin Morgan takes the stage from 3:45 - 4:15 p.m., after which Indigenous returns to close out the afternoon entertainment.

The traditional, yet contemporary, Squash Blossom Boys bring together a mix of Old Time, Swing, and driving Bluegrass music. Versed in jazz improvisation and music arrangement, the band creates a unique sound that explores the roots and Boundaries of Americana.

Bébé La La is a musical duo featuring singer-songwriter, guitarist, violist, Alicia Ultan (formerly of the award winning 'twisted folk' duo, Charmed) and singer-accordionist, Maryse Lapierre, originally from Quebec. The duo performs their original folk inspired songs as well as French ballads and a few cool covers thrown in, with their signature heavenly harmonies, rhythmic lilts and rich melodies in tow.

The Jaded Heart Duo features singer-songwriter, Roger Jameson and violist-singer Alicia Ultan, who have played together since the days of the Jaded Heart Band, one of the staples of the Alibi Fall Crawls from the late 1990s into the early 2000s as well as frequent performers at Burt's Tiki Lounge, The Launchpad, and many other area establishments.

It all started for Breaking Blue in an apartment living room. Vocalist Chrystal Anderson had been composing lyrics for 15 years. When her words met Randy Martin's banjo melodies, featured song" Crowded Room" was born, and went on to win the Santa Fe Bluegrass Festival's songwriting contest, sponsored by the Southwest Picker's Association.Their award-winning music will have you rummaging through photo albums, old yellowed letters, and recipe boxes, recalling memories of times gone by.

The duo of Frank and James Chavez brings their performance of traditional New Mexico/Hispano folk music to the Gazebo stage. James is the leader of the well-known group Los Garrapatas.

Kevin Morgan learned piano at 8, then guitar at the age of 16. He first teamed up as a teenager with Caleb Mannan to form the 1990's alternative/shoegazer/pre-emo band Gettysburg. Shortly after the duo returned from living in Nashville in 2001, they went separate geographical ways, and in 2005 he began performing solo around Spokane, Washington. Now living in Albuquerque, he explores his Americana roots through his music.

Old Town, New Fun, a program that presents many events in Old Town and works year-round to support the continued success of Albuquerque's historic treasure, is part of the Cultural Service Department, City of Albuquerque, Richard J. Berry, Mayor. For more information on this or other events, please call 311 or visit www.OldTownABQ.org. TTY users call 711.